Arson destroys vacant South Toledo home

An arson destroyed a vacant house in South Toledo overnight, damaging two adjacent houses and a camper, authorities said today.

There were no injuries, according to the Toledo fire department.

Fire crews arrived about 1:21 a.m. and found heavy smoke and flames coming from both the house at 1227 South Ave. They attempted to enter the structure but were repelled by the flames that forced them to fight the blaze from the outside, Toledo fire Lt. Matthew Hertzfeld said.

What remained of the house was razed by about 4:40 a.m., Lieutenant Hertzfeld said.

Damage to the house at 1227 South was estimated at $25,000. The houses on both sides of the fire — at 1219 and 1229 South — each sustained $2,000 in damages. Also, a camper at 1229 South was damaged, with the loss put at $1,000, the fire lieutenant said

The fire was ruled as intentionally set, but its exact cause remained under investigation, the lieutenant said.

The Lucas County Auditor’s Web site lists Jeannette Versansky as the owner of the house at 1227 South. The 1 1/2-story wood frame house was built in 1912.